Presentation for PT/FWS workers about professionalism in the workplace

1. By: Amanda Herrick

2. Professionalism
• We often hear how important it to
behave “professionally” in the
workplace.
• If you want to get ahead, be taken
seriously, and have your boss think of
you as an asset to the team, doing
things in a professional way is vital.
• But what is professionalism?

3. Professionalism
• Professionalism is:
– Having a high standard of professional
ethics, behavior and work activities while
carrying out one's profession.
– Having a reasonable work morale and
motivation.
– Having interest and desire to do a job
correctly as well as holding positive attitude
towards the profession are important
elements in attaining a high level of
professionalism.

5. #1: Take it seriously
• Work is not a time to hang out with your
friends. It is a job and when you are on
the clock, work needs to come first.
• When you receive an assignment, do it
promptly and to the best of your ability.
NEVER EVER do sloppy, half done work.

6. #2: Office Atmosphere
• It is fine to be laughing or joking when
we are alone in the office, but it needs
to stop when someone walks in.
• Frequently, people walk into the office
and I can't hear them over your
laughing or joking. Also, no cursing
when students are in the office. Act
professionally.

7. Which of these people would
you rather talk to?

8. #3: Attitude
• Your attitude is what people are going to
remember the most about you, not what
you say.
• Always be positive and have an upbeat
attitude. No one likes a constant
pessimist or someone who always looks
depressed. You don't always have to feel
upbeat, but you must ALWAYS show it
to the clients (students in our case).

9. #3 Attitude
• SMILE! Even when you don’t feel like
it, it has been scientifically proven
that just the act of smiling makes you
feel happier.
• Do not complain constantly. It just
puts people off.
• Don't bring personal issues to work.
Your personal life and your work life
are separate. Keep them that way.

10. Take inventory of these guys:
• What message are
they sending to the
world?
• Pretend that you
are a boss and had
an employee
coming in dressing
like this. What
would be your
thoughts of him?

11. Now do the same for these guys:
• What message are
they sending to the
world?
• Pretend that you
are a boss and had
an employee
coming in dressing
like this. What
would be your
thoughts of him?

13. #4: Presentation
• A tip for looking perfectly professional
at any job: look at how your
supervisor and other people in your
job position dress.
• Use that as a guideline of how dressed
up you need to be for any job.

14. #4: Presentation
Appropriate Work Attire
•
•
•
•
Blank T-Shirts
Nice Jeans (no holes)
Polo Shirts
Button-down shirts
Inappropriate Work Attire
• Sweats
– Gives the impression that
you don’t care about your
job. You just rolled out of
bed and went to work.
•
T-shirts with logos
– Great for hanging out or
going to the mall in.
Unprofessional for work.
• Sagging pants
– NO ONE wants to see
your undies or shorts.
• Anything with an
inappropriate saying on
it.
• Hats

15. BODY LANGUAGE:
ACT CONFIDENT AND YOU
BECOME CONFIDENT!

16. #5: Body Language
• Your body language can convey a
stronger message than your words.
• Confident body language is essential
in any business setting.
• Everything about your body language
makes an impression.

17. Examples of Body Language
Positive Body Language
• Standing Straight
• Greeting people with a
firm handshake
• Holding your head high
• Smiling
• Making eye contact
Negative Body Language
• Fidgeting
• Slouching
• Picking at yourself
• Not maintaining eye
contact
• Putting your hands in
your pockets
• Crossing your arms

18. Final Tips
• DO NOT use your phone during work.
No playing games on it or texting.
ESPECIALLY when you are talking to
someone. It gives the impression that
you are not paying attention.
• Don’t wait for things to be assigned to
you. If you see something that needs
doing that you can do, do it.

19. Final Tips
• Speak up if there is an issue or
problem. Most often, supervisors don’t
see the little things that you do.
• Always keep your supervisor
informed, but try to handle issues by
yourself.
• Always give someone your complete
attention when they are speaking to
you.

20. Final Tips
• Take responsibility. If you messed
up, own up to it.
• Take everything in stride.
Deadlines, rude students, slow
computers. Don’t make them into
drama. Remember: Don’t sweat the
small stuff…and its ALL the small
stuff.
• Always strive to learn something at
every job you do. You will use it later.